Producers of the BBC reality show The Celebrity Traitors have reportedly drawn inspiration from the film franchise The Hunger Games to create a tense atmosphere for contestants during elimination rounds. Comedian James Acaster, a participant and the third traitor in the current series, revealed that the show plays “The Hanging Tree,” a folk ballad featured in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1, ahead of the crucial voting sessions known as roundtables.
Acaster, 41, explained that the song is played a cappella, with a haunting tone that intensifies the mood as players prepare to vote out a member of the group. Contestants enter the roundtable in silence, then sit around a table as the song plays softly, heightening the psychological pressure. Acaster characterized the experience as a surprise for participants, saying the producers “completely blindsided” them by not announcing the tactic beforehand. The routine repeats in every roundtable, with cameras capturing the serious expressions of the players while the melancholic melody echoes.
The Celebrity Traitors, which began airing its second series on October 1, takes place near Ardross Castle in the Scottish Highlands, with the cast staying at a hotel about an hour away. The program’s format involves a group of contestants—divided into “Traitors” and “Faithful”—who compete to unmask traitors while maintaining their own cover. Acaster was recruited as a traitor by actor Richard E Grant and presenter Maya Jama and has described the show as “intense,” noting that it’s important for both contestants and staff to remember it is ultimately just a game.
More than 15 million viewers tuned in for the opening episode of the latest series. As the show approaches its final week, Acaster, Jama, and television personality King Kenny remain the only remaining traitors. Host Claudia Winkleman recently praised their gameplay during episode eight, acknowledging their strong position. The “Faithful” contestants admitted to feeling overwhelmed by the traitors’ dominance and are set to banish another member of their alliance, which would result in three of the last nine players being traitors—a higher proportion than in the previous season.
Despite suspicions from some players, including actor Sebastian Croft who noted Jama’s ability to avoid detection, the traitors have so far avoided banishment votes. Fellow players seem largely unaware of the conspirators among them. Reports also indicate the possibility of additional traitors being recruited as the competition reaches its climax. The show’s semi-final episode is scheduled to air at 8 p.m. on Thursday, with expectations of further surprises as the game moves toward its conclusion.